11th May 2012
Commenting on the feedback in today's RCN survey highlighting the issues of staffing levels and workplace stress, Dean Royles, director of the NHS Employers organisation, said:

"Hospitals and services will have varying demands from area to area and service to service, and NHS employers fully recognise the importance of having the right staffing levels to provide the safest care.

"Organisations need to plan care in a way that is best for the patient. We encourage NHS employers to put the ward sister or charge nurse in the driving seat to plan the right staffing levels and ensure patients get the safest care."

On the issue of work-related stress, Mr Royles said:

"Although there are thousands more staff working in the NHS than a decade ago, we know demands on staff are increasing. Work-related stress is something we can't ignore - it has a major impact on the well-being of staff, their productivity and patient care.

"This is something that employers need to treat as a priority. While the numbers of staff reporting stress has decreased in recent years, we know there is always more we can do to tackle to the issue.

"The NHS is facing a really challenging period - the significant structural change of the reforms alongside the financial pressures on the service will have an impact on the way staff work. It is really important that employers guide staff to the help available to them and that line managers feel supported to guide their staff through periods of change. That makes sense for staff morale and patient care."